For All the Marbles
When I saw that Dylan Hernandez said the Dodgers should make Game Five another bullpen game, I knew that was exactly what they shouldn’t do. A monkey throwing darts at a NASDAQ list of companies in the Wall Street Journal is right more often than Dylan Hernandez! It’s going to…

When I saw that Dylan Hernandez said the Dodgers should make Game Five another bullpen game, I knew that was exactly what they shouldn’t do. A monkey throwing darts at a NASDAQ list of companies in the Wall Street Journal is right more often than Dylan Hernandez!

It’s going to be an EPIC HISTORIC game as Yu Darvish starts against Yoshi Yamamoto. This is the first time two right-handers start against each other. Wouldn’t it be racist of me to say it’s the first time two Japanese-born pitchers start against each other in the p[layoffs? Just kidding. It’s a testament to how far Japanese Baseball has come.
Yamamoto will start, and at the first sign of trouble, the bullpen will get the call. They may try and use Jack Flaherty, but he used to warm up with a certain routine, so that remains problematic. Best case: Yoshi goes four scoreless (I am asking for a lot, but he is capable).
Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas are questionable. I doubt that Miggy will start… maybe pinch hit in the right situation, but it sounds like Freddie will give it a go. I’m sure it’s a game-time decision, however.
Arizona Fall League
The AFL is in full swing as today, the Glendale Dessert Dogs will play their 4th game. Zyhir Hope is the standout… so far. Here’s what the AFL Website says about him:
If Dominique Wilkins was basketball’s Human Highlight Film, Zyhir Hope is the Arizona Fall League’s version.
In two games in the developmental league, Hope has provided two jaw-dropping plays.
In his AFL debut on Tuesday, the Dodgers’ No. 11 prospect covered 76 feet in less than six seconds before crashing into the center-field wall to rob Romeo Sanabria (SD No. 23) of an extra-base hit, helping the Glendale Desert Dogs escape with a 15-13 win over the Peoria Javelinas. In a rematch on Thursday, he launched the longest home run in the Fall League this season.
Hope absolutely annihilated an 86-mph cutter from David Morgan (SD No. 29) in the second inning of the 13-6 Glendale victory, sending it over the batter’s eye in center field. It traveled 470 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph.
“I think that’s the longest home run I’ve ever hit,” Hope said. “I just knew it felt good. I thought it was a popup at first and it kept carrying. I’m having so much fun.” – Jim Callis
Here’s the full article: https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-zyhir-hope-hits-470-foot-homer-in-arizona-fall-league?t=arizona-fall-league
Another player who is having a lot of fun is Sean McLain. He is the younger brother of the Reds Matt McLain, who is also playing while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Sean plays 2B and profiles as a utilityman, but he has not yet found a hit tool, as he hit .215 between RC and GL in 344 ABs this season. Of course, Matt McLain is an offensive force. I hope some of his hitting rubs off on little brother.
Jake Gelof is also playing and is off to a fast start, hitting .600 with a HR and a double. Jerming Rosario and Eriq Swan are also playing for the Dessert Dogs. The game is being live-streamed at 9:30 EDT tonight, in case you don’t have anything else to watch. 😉
Something to think about: As much as I love Teoscar, I would rather overpay for Anthony Santander. He is three years younger and a switch hitter. Just food for thought! Not saying I don’t want Teo back. It’s just that there are other opportunities.
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Discussion (43)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Low key mvp was buehler eating all those innings in G3 to save our bullpen.